I have owned my 2024 GLE 53 AMG Coupe now for about 16 months and have under 12K miles on it. I have had numerous issues with my GLE, mostly electrical gremlins. The biggest issue was the steering wheel not detecting my hands which it went back to them 3 times for that issue and on the 3rd time they replaced the steering wheel. Although I do not have this issue as much, it still says it cannot detect my hands, but the dealership keeps saying they have zero issues when they test it. The other issue is the front left restraint malfunction. My GLE was picked up last week and they said they fixed the selt belt anchor which is what caused the issue. I had my car back for less than a week and the light came on again for the front left restraint malfunction. Between the 16 months I have owned my GLE it has gone to the dealership about 4 times for warranty work (one of those times was warranty work and service A).

At this point I am not sure what to do and need some advice/guidance. I have wanted a GLE Coupe ever since I saw it in Jurassic World but mine seems to be having more and more issues lately and now I am turned off on trying to swap it out for a new one. Do I start the buyback process? Do I start the lemon law process (Florida allows it within 24 months of delivery)? Do I just deal with it and text the dealership to pick up my GLE and bring me a loaner every time issue(s) arise?

 

Not that familiar with lemon law, but how much time all together has it been in the shop? Four times does not sound onerous to me, I have read other buyback threads where the car was out of service for many weeks and problems could not be fixed. It is hard on you but does it qualify for a buyback? Maybe you are through the worst of it. Go to a different dealer for the restraint issue. These are super complex cars. But once sorted out very rewarding.

 

Google says this for FL lemon law:

"What Constitutes a "Lemon"?A vehicle may be considered a "lemon" under Florida law if it has a "nonconformity," which is defined as a defect or condition that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle and: * The manufacturer or its authorized service agent has been unable to repair the nonconformity after a reasonable number of attempts. * The vehicle has been out of service for repair of one or more different problems for a cumulative total of 30 or more days within the "lemon law rights period." * The same nonconformity has been subject to repair at least three times by the manufacturer or its authorized service agent, plus a final attempt by the manufacturer to repair the vehicle, and the nonconformity continues to exist."

I would get your issues repaired as quickly as you can in those first 24 months. Your worst case scenario is trading it in for something else after 24 months.

 

Correct. Lemon Laws vary from state to state. @wildta has provided what the Florida law requires. The issue with the steering wheel seems like it could easily be demonstrated by you if the dealer can't replicate the condition.

I really don't know what to tell you. What is the function of the steering wheel detection? To automatically apply the brakes if you hands aren't on the wheel? That sounds dangerous to me. It appears to be one of those "Nanny" features that intrude on your freedom of choice. I drive with my knees all the time while eating a strawberry sundae from Dairy Queen.

If you really love the car, I would look into deactivating the Magic Steering Wheel (or whatever they call it), if possible. I know the wheel jerking in Active Lane Keeping Assist can be disabled while keeping the rumble if you prefer. I wonder if the same can be done with your steering wheel.

 

Personally, I would decide to get rid of the car if annoying features cannot be disabled. This steering wheel problem is not a mere convenience, it's a safety issue. Maybe get Mercedes to buy it back and get an older model without the extra nonsense.

I hate new cars!

 

If you are using DISTRONIC, and it doesn't sense your hand when you put it where the sensor is, try to press or tap the "Res" button instead, see if the prompt goes away.

 

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/93niAuyLOso/h...BfoHM5v-BVWuRg

 

What dealership are you going to, curious. Why would I not at all be shocked if it is Gainesville or North Orlando.....

On our GLS, if it asks for me to hold the wheel, assuming I am wearing my Speedo I just set my inner thigh on the wheel and it is happy (I wish I was kidding about the leg touch - it works). For me, if I have shorts on the leg is enough. Has worked from time to time on the rare occasion I have pants.

 

The GLE (facelift) uses sensors to detect a hand unlike the past where you wiggle the wheel. Basically any MB with the capacitive touch steering wheel has these sensors now.

 

I'm no stranger to Mercedes but I have never had this many issues with a Mercedes before. I am on my 3rd and my parents have S classes which usually do not have much issues. I would think on a 100K car it would not need to go to the dealership so much. My 2021 GLE 350 was more reliable than my 24 GLE 53 AMG Coupe and my 2017 E300!

I looked up lemon law in Florida to see when I would need to file by. I was hoping that I could open communication with MB first and see if they would be willing to do a buyback before having to go through lemon law.

With the steering wheel not detecting my hands I have sent them photos. With the traffic sign assist issue I am having now (worse than before) I have taken videos and tried texting the dealership, but I don't think they can accept video. I will have to figure out how to send them the videos. Hopefully they can email.

I am not sure exactly why the car brakes when using DAP and no one is in front of me, but when I was driving on the Veterans Expressway and it went from 70 to 45 when people around me were going around 70-80 it was scary and I had to intervene and slam on the gas. There was an icon of a coin and paper so my thinking was it thought there was a tollbooth that it had to slow down for.

What I have been doing is I will lift my hand and move it over slightly and then it goes away. Then it comes back and I do the same thing. I had a GLS 580 loaner with DAP and I was able to keep my hand on the steering wheel in the same spot the entire time and it detected my hand the entire 45 minute ride.

I go to MB Clearwater. They are the closest dealership to me/my office and they do the pick up/drop off so I don't have to kill half a day going to the dealership. I bought the car from Crown Eurocars, but they do not do pick up/drop off and their loaner cars are not good. When I got my 2021 GLE 350 I had to bring it there twice and both times they put me in enterprise rental cars. I love MB Clearwater for offering that service and for being accommodating for the loaners!

From the link it looks like the entire steering wheel is a sensor, no? I have tried to wiggle the steering wheel as well but that did not do anything.

 

I guess my questions are, does anyone know how to initiate the buyback process? Do you have to talk to the dealership you buy it from or the dealership where it is serviced at? If I am supposed to reach out to a dealership, do I talk to a sales person, service advisor, or service manager?

 

Forum member streamliner has went through brought back for a couple of times now but he lives in California. So it is easier, that said, he might be able to still give you advice.

 

I would pursue the buy back from Mercedes first. Talk to the service manager and see what you need to do. If you go the Lemon Law route first, I doubt if Mercedes will work with you on a buy back and they will wait for the Lemon Law process to reach a conclusion.

 

I think that would be the best approach.
The Service Manager might have advice about Lemon-ing, so ask about that as well.

 

I had a buyback of my brand new 2014 Mercedes E550 sedan. And then when they replaced that with a brand new replacement 2014 Mercedes E550 sedan that to also have the defect, the defect was that it was harshly downshifting, and despite all the software treatments and all the hardware upgrades, they could not get this thing to ship properly.

The selling dealership wanted nothing to do with me so I took it to another dealership which was associated with AutoNation and they took good care of me the service manager and I had a good working relationship and after multiple attempts with the first 2014 vehicle he heard from me very clearly that I want this car to go back. He then worked with MB USA who at the time I also filed a formal complaint with and opened a case with them. At that time, they were very receptive and they started working with the dealership on this issue. additionally, I filed at the same time a claim with the Better Business Bureau explaining the issue and how it's taking unusually long to get this thing resolved and that I want my money back or a new car. Ultimately, they gave me a new car and when they immediately, on delivery knew this new car did the same thing they knew that they were gonna take the car back and that process took another few months working with MBUSA and they gave me all of my cash back.

 

Having the service manager involved is a good thing.

I had problems with my 2020 450. The service manager actually drove it home for a week, and the technician for a couple of days.
He agreed and that's why I have a 21.

 

TMI!

 

I just sent an email to the service manager at MB Clearwater to hopefully start this process. If I cannot get anywhere with them then I may have to initiate the lemon law process.

That is good to hear! I am hoping the service manager is willing to get involved. When I asked my service advisor, he said he does not know the process or how to start it. Thankfully the MB World community and Google are here to help!

How did you open a formal complaint with MB Corporate? I cannot find anyone to email from MBUSA and the few emails I had regarding delays from a previous order do not work anymore. I am hoping they can do the buyback without me having to go through the lemon law process so I can move on. It's sad because I have wanted a GLE 53 AMG Coupe ever since I first saw the GLE Coupe from Jurassic World.

 

A phone call to the Mercedes helpline might be sufficient to start an action.
Maybe it depends on who you get on the phone, but I think they have more powers than you might expect.

 

called mbusa direct - by phone.

currently the number is 1800-367-6372

here's my thread:

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...oo-lovely.html

 

The steering wheel detector is only on when the cruise control is on. It’s to make sure you aren’t doing something stupid. (Like driving with your knees). It is an issue. Both my cars flash at me for no apparent reason. I guess a lot depends on where you keep your hands on the wheel. I guess if you pass out from the brain freeze from DQ, it will stop the car.

 

It does not stop the car. I have taken it all the way to the Limit just to see what it would do it simply turns off cruise control and the car coasts down from there with a constant binging and the two hands Flash in front of your face

please excuse the voice text formatting. I'm currently steering with my knee.

 

Both knees is recommended.

But that's what I understood happens when you don't "assume control."
Did it stay in lane, or just let the car wander, following the crown of the road?

 

I wonder if the even newer MBs actually comes to a full stop on the shoulder?

 

The car does a great job staying "in the lines" such a good job, not using your blinker ticks you off as a driver because with out a blinker the car does not want to change lanes. The system is truly amazing.